Hernan’s eyes widened.

But soon, he let out a hollow laugh with a casual expression.

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“However, your complexion looks bad.”

“I’m just stunned by the reckless behavior of you two. I’m lamenting the foolishness of the brothers who agreed to search the Magic Tower at a child’s word!”

At Hernan’s words, I tilted my head in confusion.

“You’re really not this flustered because of that, are you?”

“What—”

“Because the person responsible for creating the ancient monster behind grandfather’s back is your uncle.”

“......!”

Once it became clear this incident was connected to the Magic Tower, the culprit came rolling into my hands.

‘Because that son testified to me.’

It was right after leaving the main hall.

Milan approached me.

“Is this incident really connected to the Magic Tower?”

“I’m certain. But why?”

“.......”

Milan’s complexion was grim.

The usually composed man looked nervous, as if chased by something.

Even Balzac, who never cared what others thought, looked puzzled.

Naturally, I sensed something was up.

“Come with me for a moment, Milan oppa.”

I dragged him to a secluded place and asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“.......”

“If your father is involved in this incident, you need to tell me quickly.”

“......!”

Milan looked at me, startled.

“How...?”

“There’s only one thing you could be worrying about that much. No matter how much you hate your father, it’s hard to betray your biological father.”

“.......”

“Also, I was already suspicious of Uncle Hernan.”

“......How could you suspect father?”

“I’m pretty sharp.”

What else would be the reason I deliberately mentioned searching the Magic Tower in the main hall?

Now that father is acting as the family head, there’s no need to get the 2nd generation’s consent to search the Magic Tower.

All decision-making power lies with father.

‘Though, if anything goes wrong, it’s to share responsibility with the other 2nd gens.’

We had to act before the experimental data in the Magic Tower was completely erased.

It was better to hurry than waste time persuading the 2nd gens.

But the biggest reason I mentioned ‘searching the Magic Tower’ to the 2nd gens was...

‘To see their reaction when I said we would search the Magic Tower.’

Uncle Balderic, who I suspected most, was the first to agree to the search.

After that, Aunt Bastina, then Uncle Sylvain.

‘Uncle Hernan just couldn’t oppose because all the 2nd gens pushed it.’

And the momentary look of dismay on his face.

His urgent contact with his aide right after the meeting.

All made me suspicious of Uncle Hernan.

‘And with Milan’s expression like that, it’s basically checkmate.’

“Listen carefully, Milan oppa. Creating an ancient monster with alchemy is a crime from which grandfather cannot pardon you.”

“.......”

“But Erekka Girard, who was central to the experiment, attacked the duke’s castle. That’s a capital offense for anyone involved. If things go wrong, Hernan’s entire jurisdiction will be lost.”

“......If mother and I are to live, we’ll have to betray father before grandfather arrives.”

“Of course, but... it’s also an opportunity.”

At my words, Milan flinched and looked at me.

“Opportunity?”

“The reason aunt can’t divorce is ultimately because of you and your family.”

“......Yeah.”

“Astra won’t send grandchildren outside. Even if grandfather sends you to your mother’s family, you’d live shackled your whole life.”

“I’m prepared for that.”

“But what if Uncle Hernan were gone?”

“What do you mean...?”

“Aunt would rule the jurisdiction, and you could stay in Astra.”

“Are you saying I should betray father for my own convenience?”

“When the choice is hard, it’s better to do the calculation.”

Put it on the scale.

On one side, ‘Still father.’

On the other side, ‘Benefits if father is gone,’ and ‘Protecting the people of Hernan’s jurisdiction.’

“......You’re cruel.”

Milan smiled bitterly and sighed deeply.

“But thanks to that, the conclusion was easy. ...Father once mentioned the ancient monster in the jurisdiction.”

“Ancient monster?”

“Yes, and he had multiple drinking sessions with the Magic Tower mages without ‘records’.”

By nature, Astra’s direct 2nd generation are surveilled.

Simply put, it’s an investigation to prepare for any possible rebellion against the Duke of Astra.

It was like a tradition carried on for a long time.

‘But the lack of records means... the record keeper was bribed.’

Just that alone would cause Hernan’s disownment.

“Evidence? Do you have evidence?”

“Mother is thorough. If something could harm me or the jurisdiction, she wouldn’t let it pass easily.”

“Then...?”

“She must have recorded everything. Most of Hernan’s jurisdiction’s employees are on mother’s side, so there are many witnesses.”

Aunt Canaria, as expected!

‘Grandfather’s most trusted daughter-in-law.’

That’s how I confirmed Uncle Hernan as the culprit.

Uncle Hernan glared at me as if he would tear me apart.

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

“You said uncle was the culprit.”

“You spoke of responsibility in the main hall, but you cannot take any responsibility for your own words.”

Uncle Hernan’s face turned grim.

I smiled lightly.

And turned my head toward father.

“Do you think so too, Dad? I, ah—”

Just as I tried to call father, Uncle Hernan roughly grabbed my arm.

His strength was so great I thought my arm would be torn off.

“How long do you think you can act out like this?”

“It hurts. Let go—ugh.”

Something flickered over the back of Hernan’s hand.

A strange energy that felt like the ground beneath me was giving way.

A piercing ringing surged through my head.

‘Come to think of it, Uncle Hernan’s blessing is...’

At that moment—

“Stop it—!”

Milan roughly pulled me away from Hernan.

From father, who was arguing with the mages, to the relatives watching, everyone suddenly looked at us.

Balzac quickly approached me.

“What’s wrong, Erilot?”

Hernan looked at father with a casual expression.

“I just scolded her a few words for talking nonsense.”

“Nonsense?”

Father frowned, and Hernan laughed dismissively.

“You say I’m the mastermind of this incident? Ridiculous.”

“.......”

“Your brother’s daughter’s arrogance knows no bounds. Accusing an adult without evidence—”

“You tried to use your blessing.”

That last was Milan.

He said it hiding me behind him with a pale face.

Then the royal court stirred loudly.

“Blessing? Hernan’s blessing is the Night’s Robe, isn’t it?”

The Night’s Robe.

A special-class blessing that renders touched objects invisible.

Hernan developed it to level 2 and changed this special blessing to an offensive ability.

‘An ability that erases what it touches.’

Uncle Balderic snorted.

“No sane person would try to kill their niece in such a crowded place.”

“That’s right, brother. What on earth are these kids saying... Erilot, [N O V E L I G H T] what did you whisper to my son—”

“Father’s blessing isn’t only the Night’s Robe.”

“......!”

Hernan’s face stiffened.

Milan gritted his teeth and shouted.

“Father’s second blessing is the !”

“Milan—!!”

Only then did Hernan’s expression change.

The relatives frowned and glanced at one another.

“Curse?”

“Curse?”

Amid the confusion, I wiped cold sweat and touched my forehead.

‘So that bastard tried to curse me.’

Even Aunt Basile, the most sensible in Astra, was baffled.

“Did you try to curse your niece, Hernan?”

“Nonsense! Curse? Milan, you’re being tricked by Erilot’s scheme—”

Milan glared fiercely at his father.

“Since I was young, father instructed me: ‘Do not use the second blessing on my son.’”

‘He threatened his own child?’

Hernan huffed and approached Milan.

Then slap!

Milan’s head snapped to the side, staring at the floor.

Hernan shouted.

“You idiot! You let a little girl trick you and betrayed your father—”

At that moment—

Thunk!

Not just a hit, the sound echoed loudly.

The bone-crushing sound startled me.

Who punched Hernan was...

“Au-Aunt Canaria?”

“Mother...”

Milan’s mother and Hernan’s wife, Aunt Canaria.

When had she arrived? Draped in a thick robe, she glared at Hernan and said.

“I warned you repeatedly not to lay a hand on my son again.”

“You madwoman...! How dare you hit your husband?! Have you decided to get divorced?”

“I refuse to tolerate a trash who hits their own child, not once but twice.”

“What...?”

“You’re the worst as a husband and as a parent.”

“You madwoman—”

“You always said that trash is meant to be thrown away.”

“Bloodline and abilities are trash in a man! Why shouldn’t trash be thrown away?”

Now I understood why Erekka said that.

‘Hernan was really Erekka’s man.’

Aunt Canaria threw documents in Hernan’s face.

“You trash, I’m the one throwing you away.”

The papers fluttered down like dry leaves.

Uncle Balderic looked puzzled as he picked up the documents.

“Wh-what is this...!”

I quickly grabbed one of the fallen papers.

‘A list of visitors to Hernan’s jurisdiction.’

[June 3rd, Baron Ailots drinking session. Stayed about 4 hours, talked about Delta-type blood.]

[June 7th, Dinner with Magic Tower mages Oren, Itala, and Barotil. Delivered a box of gold bars to Barotil.]

[June 19th, Departed to Imperial Capital with two Magic Tower mages.]

[July 11th, Outing with Viscount Girard. Location: Baron Ailots’s property, Sylvain jurisdiction, No. 130-2.]

Not only the list but also detailed records of conversations and movements.

Hernan’s face paled as he hurriedly checked the documents.

“You dare to betray your husband...!”

“This is the data I collected one by one to protect my son if any of your many illegitimate children try to harm him.”

“What...?”

“Because with your filthy nature, you wouldn’t protect Milan if an illegitimate child attacked.”

“Canaria—!!”

“Thanks to this, Hernan’s jurisdiction will avoid crisis. You smelled like trash from the start.”

‘Oh....’

Aunt Canaria was magnificent.

Milan’s eyes widened, staring at her.

She said.

“So Milan, you must not misunderstand.”

“Huh?”

“I’m not the one who abandoned your father. I’m the one who abandoned your father. You have no reason to feel guilt about this.”

“.......”

Milan’s face twisted painfully.

‘Now I know why Milan grew strong even under trash like that.’

Because his mother, as big as a mountain, protected him so he wouldn’t stray in the harsh wind.

‘And that’s why this life’s me can be indifferent to past lives...’

Thunk!

Father ran over and punched Hernan’s face.

“I want a full account of what you tried to do to my daughter.”

“Brother—!”

I smiled gently.

‘Because father is here.’

The more parents love, the stronger the child grows.

Hernan, who fell from father’s punch, grumbled as he touched the ground.

“Do you really think you can do anything to me with mere documents like these? Fool!”

He glared at father as if wanting to tear him apart.

“We elders acted for Astra’s sake! The castle attack was solely Erekka Girard’s fault...!”

His wife and child testified, and since he was connected to the Magic Tower mages involved, escaping was impossible.

Hernan knew that and admitted it.

He shouted wildly, and the elders and mages noisily agreed.

But then—

“This is the worst mess ever.”

A cold voice like midwinter frost settled low in the royal court.

Everyone turned their heads toward the door.

White hair streaked with gray.

An intimidating silhouette filled with the weight of years.

The shining Astra crest on the robe.

...Grandfather’s return.

“Fa-Father...”

“Duke—!”

He walked briskly holding his cane and stood before Hernan.

Hernan scrambled to straighten his posture.

“Fa-Father, please listen to me. This is all Erekka Girard’s fault, and I acted only for you—!”

“Hernan.”

“Yes?”

“There’s no need to say more.”

When grandfather patted Hernan’s shoulder, his expression brightened.

“Father...!”

Just as he smiled, thinking he might be forgiven,

Grandfather murmured in a low voice.

“The judgment is mine.”

“......Yes?”

Grandfather tapped Hernan’s shoulder twice and looked at the royal court.

“Take them all to the dungeons.”

“Father...!”

“Duke!!”

The grandfather glanced at Viscount Debussy who returned with him and cemented the order.

“No need to report. Play with them thoroughly, then cut their throats.”

“Yes.”

The mages, elders, and Hernan all turned pale.

“Fa-Father, we—!”

“Duke, we acted only for Astra’s sake!”

“Yes, th-”

Grandfather spoke casually.

“No matter what you did, it doesn’t matter.”

“......Yes?”

“You dared to cause a disturbance in my own yard. You will pay accordingly.”

A chill ran all over my body.

They didn’t treat people as living beings.

That’s the power the Duke of Astra holds.

All of Astra’s relatives, including me, swallowed dryly.

‘Right, grandfather was that kind of man.’

Even the emperor feared the great mountain of Astra.

As grandfather walked through the royal court, everyone was as quiet as mice.

“So.”

Grandfather quietly stared at me and asked.

“You...?”

“Who dared to spill blood from your hands?”